Velocipede



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

B.G.LATTA.

VELOGIPEDE.

Patented Oct. 30, 1888.

y v ,i *www mwwunnrlllll (No Model.) `2 sheets-sheet 2.

E. G. LATTA.

VBLOGIPEDB. No. 391,900. Patented 0G13. 30, 1888.

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5' llllllllllllllllllll lll .u @Il MI/vin ess es iiNiTnn STATES FFi'CiEc PATENT EMMI'I G. LATTA, OF FRIENDSHIP, NEV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE POPE ll'IANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,900, dated October 30,1888.

(No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMMIT G. LATTA, of Friendship, in the county of Allegany and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Velocipcdes, of which the following is aspecitication.

The object ot thisiiiveiition is to attach the handlebar to the steering-head in such manner that it can be readily removed therefrom or be turned out of the way, so as to stand in line with the backbone and wheels; also, to render the handles adjustable on the handlebar, so that their angle with reference to the handle-bar can be changed at desire; also, to secure the lower bearing of the spindle to the steering head in a simple manner, and,tinally, lo provide a light, strong, and cheap step for mounting tho machine, which will not injure the rider or tear his clothing.

The invention consists to these ends of the improvements which will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure l is a vertical sectional elevation ofthe steering-head and handlebar, showing the latter in the position in which it is secured to the stceringehead. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the upper portion of the steering-head, showing the handle-bar in the position in which it and its bracket can be applied to, removed from, or turned on the steering-head. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the steering-head and liandle-bar lug. Fig. 4: is a longitudinal section of one of the adjustable handles applied to the end of the handleloar. Fig. 5 is a top plan View of the central portion ofthe handleebar. Fig. Gis a horizontal section in line am, Fig. l, showing thehandlebar in a locked position. Fig. 7 is a similar view in line y y, Fig. 2, showing the handle bar in an unlocked position. Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-section in line x rv, Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a velocipede provided with my improvements. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the step secured to the backbone of the velocipede. Fig. ll is a vertical longi tudinal section thereof. Fig. 12 is a crosssectioii of the saine. Fig. 18 is a top plan view of the step. Fig. le is a horizontal section thereof iii linex x, Fig. 1l.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several iigures.

A represents the cylindrical steering-head, which is of the usual construction, and B 'is thc spindle, arranged with its upper center 1n an adjusting-screw, O, and with its lower end in a step, D. The latter is provided with an external screw-tli read, and is fitted in a screwthreaded opening in the lower end of the steering-head. rIhe stepDis held in its seat against turning by the brakestud d, which is arranged in ascrew-threaded opening, d formed near the lower end of the steering-head, and projects with its inner end into a socket or opening, di, formed in the adjacent portion of the step D. By this construction the brakestud serves a double function and dispenses with the use of an eXtra screw for retaining the step D in place.

The adjusting-screw G is held against turning by the customary jam-nut, c.

E represents the handlebar, which is preferably constructed in the form of a. compound curve in a well-known manner, and F is the lug` or bracket to which the handle-bar is secured, and which is attached to the steeringhead by a collar, e, fitting over the upper end ofthe latter and formed integral with the lug. rIhe upper end of the steering-head isslightly tapered, and the bore of the collar e is correspondingly tapered. rlhe lug or bracket is provided with a horizontal opening, in which the handle-bar is arranged, and the central portion of the handle-bar is attened or cut away on one side, as shown at f. The front side of the steering-head is provided with a concave recess or cavity, g, into which the rear curved side of the handle-bar projects when the latter is locked in position. Upon turning the handle-bar so as to bring its iiattened sidef opposite or in line with the recess of the steering-head, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7, the handle-bar will clear said recess, and the handle-bar and the collar e can be lifted from the upper end of the steering-head. The collar e and handle-bar are applied to the steeringhead by turning the liandlebar into the above-mentioned position before passing the collar over the steering-head. The centralportion of the handle-bar, arranged within ico the lug F, is made eccentric or of graduallyincreasing radius, and the radius of curvature of the concave recess g is somewhat smaller than the largest radius of the eccentric port-ion of the handle-bar, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that by turning the handle-bar in the proper direction its eccentric portion is wedged against the concave face of the recess g, thereby tightly clamping the handle-bar in the lug F, and at the same time securing the lug to the steeringhead by clamping its collar e upon the latter.

The central eccentric portion of the handlebar is so arranged with reference to the concave recess g that the handle-bar is locked in the lug by lifting on the handles. The handlebar is preferably made of tubing and its central portion is re-enforced by a plug, f.

7L represents a flat spring, secured with its lower end to the under side of the lug F, and arranged in a slot or recess, i, formed in the front side of the lug. rIhe spring h is provided with a hook or nose, h', which engages in a notch or recess, h2, formed in the circumference of the centra-l portion of the handle-bar, which hook prevents the handle-bar from being turned back wardl y in a direction opposite to that necessary to tighten the handle-bar in the lug.

When it is desired to remove the handlebar and lug from the steering-head, the upper end of the spring h is pushed forward to disengage the hook from the notch h2, when the bar can be turned backwardly to bring its cut-away portion f opposite the recess g. Another notch, j, is formed in the circumference of the handle-bar, and is arranged diametri@- ally opposite the attened portion j', so that when the handle-bar is turned so that said Hat- --tened-potionf registers with the recess g the hook will engage in the notch j and hold the handle-bar in the position in which it can be applied or removed, or be turned upon the steering-head with the collar e so as to stand parallel or in line with the backbone, if desired. In either case this is quickly accomplished without the use of tools and without disturbing the adjustment of the steering-centers. the lug F to form a thumb piece for disengaging the spring.

The spring h is not absolutely essential to the fastening of the handle-bar, and may be omitted, if desired, as the handle-bar cannot become loose while the rider pulls on the handles, and in ease it should become loose at any other time it is readily tightened by lift-ing on the handles.

I represents one of the handles or grips, which are constructed of hard rubber or other suitable material. The handle I is secured by means of a screw-thread or otherwise to a core or tang, J, which is provided with an angular extension, J', secured to the end of the handlebar. The ends of the latter areinclined backwardly, as shown in Fig. 1, and are provided with an external screw-thread, i', which engages with the internal screw-thread, j, formed The spring h extends upwardly above,

ing-nut,j3, as shown in Fig.,4, whereby thev extension is rmly secured to the end of the handle-bar. Upon loosening the clampingnut j the handle can be given a half-turn to change its position from that shown in Figs. 1 and 4 to that indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 4; or the handles can be adjusted to stand in a position intermediate between the two illustrated inthe drawings by giving it less than a half-turn. When the handles have been adjusted, the clamping-nuts j:s are again tightened. rlhe ends t" of the handle-bars are preferably of the same size as the tang J. so that the latter and its angular portion J may be removed and the handle be secured directly to the ends t" of the handle-bar, in which case it occupies the same position as the ordinary handle of a bent or curved handle-bar. In Figs. 1 and 4 the handle is shown in the position of aspade-handle.

By my improved handleextension J J the three most desirable positions of the handle are obtained and several intermediate adjustments of two of the positions, as well as three adjustments of thel length of the handle-bar and its leverage. It is lighter and stronger, and can be manufactured at less expense than a spade-handle.

It is obvious that the angle of the extension J with reference to the tang J may be varied, and that the extension may be fitted in the end of the tubular handle-bar and be secured therein by a clamping-nut in a manner similar to that in which the shank of the spadehandle is secured to the handle-bar in my pending application tiled November 3, 1887, Serial No. 254,159.

K represents the step whereby the velocipede is mounted, and which is secured to the lower portion of the backbone. The step Kis stamped of sheet metal, and is composed of two serrated or toothed branches, 7c lr, which are connected at their rear ends by a curved loop or ring, Z, which encircles the backbone, the step being secured to the backbone by a horizontal bolt,Z,passing through the branches 7c k on one side of the backbone. The boltholes l'l are preferably countersunk or made conical to tit the adjacent corresponding faces of the bolt Z', as shown in Fig. 14. This construction enables the bolt to be easily applied and to'hold equally well on different parts of the backbone.

The outer ends, m m, of the branches lc k are curved inwardly, and one end overlaps or interlocks with the other end, as shown in Figs., 11, 13, and 14. This construction causes both ends of the branches to support any weight which is applied to either branch of the step.

The end portions, mm, of the step are made concave or semicircular in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 12,which construction increases the strength of the branches k k and prevents ICO IIO

the same from bending forwardly when the rider applies his weight from the rear, and also causes the teeth or serrations at the upper edge of the branches to incline inwardly.

and thereby lessen the liability of catching the riders clothing.

N represents a block, of rubber or other elastic materiaharranged in the cavity formed between the branches 7c k, and projecting ash ort distance above the serrations or teeth of the branches when in a normal position, so as to serve as a guard, which protects the riders clothing and person from accidental injury by contact with the teeth of the step. Upon placing the foot on the step the rubber is depressed sufficiently to expose the serrations and allow the same to come in contact with the sole of the riders shoe and thereby prevent the foot from slipping.

The rubber block N is made slightly larger than its cavity, and is clamped in place between the branches k 7c in the act of securing the Vstep to the backbone. The sharp points of the teeth of the step embed themselves in the sides ofthe rubber guard N,and their lia bility to cause injury is thereby still further lessened. The upper flat surface of the rubber guard N is provided with shallow diagonal `grooves or depressions a, as shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 13, and the outer ends of these grooves intersect cach other at the points of the teeth, so as to betterexposethe teeth when the guard is depressed. Besides being clamped between the branches k k of the step,the guard N is t'urthersecnred in place by the horizontal bolt l', which passes through the guard, as shown in Figs. 11 and 14. The guard also prevents the step from becoming tilled with dirt, Ste.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, with a steering-head, of a detachable handle-barbracket and a handle-bar seated in said bracket and adapted to interlock with the steering-head by turning the handle-bar inits scat, substantially as set forth.

2. rlShe combination, with a steering-head, of a detachable handle-bar bracket and a handle-bar interlocking with said steering-head by turning the handle-bar in one direction, while by turning the bar in the opposite direction the bracket with the handle-bar can be turned on the steering-head or be removed therefrom, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the handle-bar bracket and the steering-head, of a handle-bar seated in said bracket and made eccentric or of gradually-increasing radius, whereby the bar is clamped against the steering-.head by turning itin its seat,substautially as set forth.

4. The combination, wit-h the handle-bar bracket and the steeringhead provided with a recess or cavity, of a handle-bar arranged in said bracket and made eccentric or of gradually-increasing radius and provided with a flattened or cut-away portion, which, when arranged opposite the cavity of the steeringhead, permits the handle-bar and bracket to be turned on the steering-head or be removed therefrom, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with a steering-head and a detachable handle-bar bracket,of ahaudle bar which isinterlocked with the steeringhead by a partial turn on its axis,and aspring whereby the handle-bar is held against retrograde movement, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination,with the steering-head and the handle-barlug provided with a vertical slot or recess, ofan eccentric handle-bar seated in said handle-bar lug and provided with one or more notches or depressions, and a spring hook or catch arranged in the slot of the bracket and adapted to engage in one or the other of said recesses,substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the steering-head and the lower detachable center bearing provided with a recess or socket,of the brake-stud arranged at the lower end of thcsteering-hcad and projecting with its inner end into the recess ofthe center bearing, substantially as set forth.

8. rlhe combination, with the handle-bar, of a handle provided with a tang or shank having an angular extension which is adjustably attached to the handle-bar, substantially as sct forth.

9. An adjustable velocipede-handle provided with a detachable angular extensiomwhereby the handle can be connected with the handle-bar by means of the extension or be applied directly to the end of the handle-bar, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination,with the threaded handle-bar, ot' a handle provided with a detachable angular extension or shank split longitudinally and provided with a screw-thread engaging with the thread of the handle-bar, and a clampingnut whereby the extension is secured to the handle-bar, substantially as set forth.

11. A velocipede-step consisting of two serrated branches interlocked at their outer ends, and a loop or clip whereby the step is secured to the backbone, substantially as set forth.

12. A velocipede-step consisting of a loop encircling the backbone and formed with two outwardly-projecting branches,the outer ends of which areinterlockethso as to support each other against vertical and lateral displacement, substantially as set forth.

13. A velocipedc step consisting of two branches connected by a loop encircling the backbone, said branches being made curved or concaved, so as to form together a frame of semicircular cross section, or nearly so, substantially as set forth.

14. A velocipede-step provided with two serrated edges inclined inwardly toward cach other, substantially as set forth.

15. In a step, the combination, with two serrated side bars or branches, of an elastic or yielding guard arranged between said side bars, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination, with a step having IZO teeth or sei-rations, of an elastic or yielding guard having its upper surface arranged flush will] orslightly above the teeth ofthestep when in a normal position, while exposing the teeth 5 when pressure is applied to the guard, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination, with the side bars or branches of the step provided with teeth or serrations and forming a frame having an open lo top, of a cushion or elastic tooth guard clamped between said branches, substantially as set fort-h.

18. In a step, the combination, with the two serrated branehes and a clip or loop surroundi5 ing the backbone, of a rubber or other elastic guard arranged between said branches, and a clamping-bolt passing through said branches and 'the guard, substantially as set forth.

19. In a step, the combination, with the two serrated branches provided with conical boltzo holes,and a loop or clamp encircling the backbone, oi'l a clamping bolt connecting said branches and provided with conical faces, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 4th day of January, 25 1888.

EMMIT G. LATTA.

Vitnesses:

NV. yWARD Rien, FRED N. Rien. 

